Key facts
- India exported US$206 million of natural honey in FY2024-25 (apeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: USA; UAE; Saudi Arabia; Portugal; Libya
- 2 production clusters mapped, in Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana, Gujarat; Maharashtra.
- Market guides for 18 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, EIC export health certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 80 drums / about 24 MT) for bulk (typical).
Product overview
India exported 100,773 t of natural honey worth US$ 206.47 million in FY2024-25 (APEDA), led by the USA, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Portugal and Libya. Production is concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar, where migratory beekeepers follow mustard, eucalyptus, litchi and multiflora bloom.
Most exports are bulk honey in 300 kg drums for packers, with a growing retail and private-label segment. Mustard honey crystallises quickly into a creamy texture; litchi (Bihar) and eucalyptus are distinct monofloral types.
Honey is an animal product: exports must come from EIC-approved establishments, and destination markets require residue monitoring (antibiotics, pesticides) and authenticity testing (NMR, C4 sugar, foreign oligosaccharides) to rule out adulteration with syrups. Authenticity is the single most important commercial issue in the honey trade.
HS note: Honey is an animal product: EU and US entries need establishment listing and residue monitoring.
Specifications
| Moisture | ≤ 18-20% (typical; Codex ≤ 20%) |
|---|---|
| HMF | ≤ 40 mg/kg (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Diastase activity | ≥ 8 Schade units (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Reducing sugars (fructose + glucose) | ≥ 60 g/100 g (Codex) |
| Authenticity | NMR profiling, C4 sugar (SCIRA), foreign oligosaccharides - pass (buyer-specified) |
| Residues | Antibiotics and pesticides per destination limits |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Mustard honey
Light, crystallises fast - creamed honey and blends.
Multiflora honey
Main bulk export type.
Litchi honey
Light, fragrant monofloral from Bihar.
Eucalyptus honey
Darker, strong flavour.
Organic / forest honey
NPOP-certified and wild-collected lots.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 300 kg food-grade steel or HDPE drums (typical) | About 80 drums per 20' container |
| Retail | 250 g-1 kg glass or PET jars, squeeze bottles | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 24 MT (80 drums x 300 kg) · 40' HC about 26-27 MT (weight-limited). Drum convention; check floor loading
Customisation: Monofloral types, creamed honey, organic, retail private label
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Punjab
Ludhiana, Patiala
Mustard and multiflora; processors
Haryana
Sonipat, Panipat, Yamunanagar
Processing and packing hub
Uttar Pradesh
Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar
Apiaries and processors
Bihar
Muzaffarpur, Vaishali
Litchi honey
West Bengal
South 24 Parganas (Sundarbans), Murshidabad
Wild/forest and mustard honey
Market requirements by region
European Union
Honey is a product of animal origin: India must be listed for honey residue monitoring, the plant must be EU-listed, and each consignment needs a TRACES NT health certificate; the EU Breakfast Directive revision raises origin-labelling and authenticity scrutiny.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. The USA is India's largest honey market (APEDA FY2024-25); US anti-dumping duties on Indian raw honey were imposed in 2022 (exporter-specific rates) - check current CBP rates before quoting.
Gulf (GCC)
Saudi Arabia: the importer registers the establishment and each product on SFDA's Ghad platform; FASAH clearance needs certificate of origin, invoice showing batch and expiry, health/phytosanitary certificate as applicable; Arabic labelling per SFDA.FD/GSO 9. UAE and Saudi Arabia are top-3 markets (APEDA FY2024-25); halal certification and Arabic labelling apply to retail packs.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
India has applied a minimum export price on natural honey at various times since 2023 (general knowledge) - verify current DGFT policy before quoting.
Quality control
- • EIC-approved establishment with residue monitoring
- • NMR / C4-sugar authenticity testing per lot (buyer-specified lab)
- • HMF, moisture, diastase and antibiotic residue tests
- • Pre-shipment inspection on request
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • EIC export health certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
- • USDA Organic (NOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • EIC health certificate (TRACES NT for EU)
- • Certificate of analysis incl. NMR/authenticity
- • Residue monitoring compliance
- • Organic transaction certificate (if organic)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Natural honey | 206.5 | verified | apeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: USA; UAE; Saudi Arabia; Portugal; Libya
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
How do you prove your honey is authentic?
Lots are tested for authenticity by NMR profiling and C4-sugar analysis at a buyer-approved lab, alongside standard quality tests.
Which Indian honey types are available?
Mainly multiflora, mustard, litchi and eucalyptus, plus organic and forest honey in smaller volumes.
How is bulk honey packed?
In 300 kg food-grade drums; about 80 drums fit in a 20-foot container.
Can Indian honey be exported to the EU?
Yes, from EU-listed, EIC-approved establishments with a TRACES NT health certificate and residue-monitoring compliance.
Why does mustard honey crystallise?
Mustard honey is high in glucose, so it crystallises quickly into a smooth, creamy texture - a natural sign, not a defect.
Request a quote for Natural Honey (Multiflora, Mustard, Litchi, Eucalyptus, Acacia)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
